May 10

Born in Stockholm in 1596, Banér rose through the Swedish military ranks under King Gustavus Adolphus. He became field marshal and led Swedish forces after the king’s death in battle. Banér secured key victories at battles such as Wittstock, disrupting Imperial forces. His strategic use of mobility and artillery established Sweden as a major European power. He died in 1641 at Eger, leaving a legacy as one of Sweden’s greatest military commanders.

Born in 1670 as an illegitimate son of King Charles II and actress Nell Gwyn, he was titled Duke of St Albans in 1684. He pursued a military career, serving as a colonel in the English army. Beauclerk held political office as Lord Lieutenant of Berkshire, representing royal interests locally. He managed his estates with a keen interest in public service and royal patronage. His legacy lives on through the Beauclerk family’s continued prominence in British aristocracy.

Born in 1725, Jean-Baptiste Donatien de Vimeur, comte de Rochambeau, was a seasoned Royal Army officer. In 1780, he was chosen to command French troops sent to assist the American Continental Army. Marching to join forces with General George Washington, his leadership was pivotal during the Yorktown campaign in 1781. The Franco-American victory at Yorktown effectively ended major combat in the Revolutionary War. After returning to France, he served in various military and court positions, earning promotion to Marshal of France. His strategic cooperation with American forces cemented his legacy as a hero of both nations.

Born in 1824 in Clarksburg, Virginia (now West Virginia), Thomas Jonathan Jackson graduated from West Point and served in the Mexican–American War. He earned his famous nickname at the First Battle of Bull Run, standing firm like a stone wall. As a corps commander under Robert E. Lee, he led the celebrated Valley Campaign of 1862 with swift maneuvers against larger Union forces. His leadership at battles such as Second Manassas and Antietam earned him legendary status. Jackson was accidentally wounded by friendly fire at Chancellorsville and died of complications in 1863. His disciplined approach and audacious strategies have been studied by military historians ever since.

Richard Glücks (1889–1945) was a high-ranking SS officer and head of the Concentration Camps Inspectorate under Heinrich Himmler from 1939 to 1945. In this role, he coordinated the expansion, staffing, and operations of Nazi concentration camps. He played a key part in implementing the regime's policies of detention, forced labor, and extermination. Glücks was captured by Allied forces at the end of the war and died in custody later in 1945. His tenure exemplifies the bureaucratic machinery behind the Holocaust.

Gunnar Sønsteby was a key member of the Norwegian resistance during World War II. Operating under the alias 'Agent Number 24,' he conducted sabotage, intelligence gathering, and guerrilla operations against Nazi occupiers. He narrowly escaped capture multiple times, demonstrating remarkable courage and resourcefulness. After the war, he served in the Norwegian military and later documented his experiences in acclaimed books and lectures. His autobiography and public speaking inspired new generations and kept alive the memory of Norway's struggle for freedom. Sønsteby's legacy endures as a symbol of resistance and patriotism.